Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Email this article to a Colleague Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Add to My Articles & Searches Download to citation manager Citing Articles via HighWire Citing Articles via Google Scholar Articles by Kalechstein, A. D. Articles by Gawin, F. H. Search for Related Content PubMed Citation Articles by Kalechstein, A. D. Articles by Gawin, F. H. Amphetamines

Psychiatric Comorbidity of Methamphetamine Dependence in a Forensic Sample

Received November 15, 1999; revised December 7, 1999; accepted January 13, 2000. From the Department of Psychiatry and Biobehavioral Sciences, UCLA School of Medicine, Los Angeles, California; Veterans Affairs Medical Center, West Los Angeles, California; Department of Psychiatry, Cornell University School of Medicine, New York, New York; Center for the Study of Addictions, UCLA School of Medicine; and Mood and Addiction Neuroscience Foundation, Los Angeles, California. Address correspondence to Dr. Kalechstein, UCLA Neuropsychiatric Institute, 760 Westwood Plaza, Room A7-372, Los Angeles, CA 90024; e-mail: adk{at}ucla.edu

The objective of this study was to examine the association between psychiatric symptoms and methamphetamine dependence. A four-hour survey was administered to 1,580 arrestees sampled from the 14 most populous counties in California. The survey included items assessing demographic profile, history of substance dependence, and psychiatric symptomatology. In the 12 months prior to the assessment, methamphetamine-dependent individuals were more likely to report depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation than individuals denying methamphetamine dependence, even after controlling for demographic profile and dependence on other drugs. Methamphetamine-dependent individuals also were more likely to report a need for psychiatric assistance at the time of the interview. These findings suggest that methamphetamine-dependent individuals are at greater risk to experience particular psychiatric symptoms. Further study to determine the etiology of these symptoms is warranted.

Key Words: Amphetamines • Forensic Psychiatry • Substance Abuse • Suicide and Suicidality

This article has been cited by other articles:

				M. H. Leamon, D. R. Gibson, R. D. Canning, and L. Benjamin Hospitalization of Patients With Cocaine and Amphetamine Use Disorders From a Psychiatric Emergency Service Psychiatr Serv, November 1, 2002; 53(11): 1461 - 1466. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

				M. H. Baumann, M. A. Ayestas, L. G. Sharpe, D. B. Lewis, K. C. Rice, and R. B. Rothman Persistent Antagonism of Methamphetamine-Induced Dopamine Release in Rats Pretreated with GBR12909 Decanoate J. Pharmacol. Exp. Ther., June 1, 2002; 301(3): 1190 - 1197. [Abstract] [Full Text] [PDF]

Get information about faster international access.

Privacy Policy

Copyright © 2000 American Neuropsychiatric Association. All rights reserved.

Home | Search | Current Issue | Past Issues | Subscribe | All APPI Journals | Help | Contact Us